Chapter 7

In the end, His Highness wouldn't let go of my hand, and we were still firmly holding hands... or rather, I couldn't let go because he was gripping me. Since he is the son of the king, I can't just treat him rudely, so we ended up holding hands amicably.

When I looked up at His Highness with a slightly troubled expression, he intertwined his fingers with mine even more tightly, as if to say, "I won't let go." It was a couple's hand-holding. I mean, it would be nice if he could let go since we're going to meet my father, but...

Well, I think my father would probably find it endearing, but I don't want any misunderstandings. It could get complicated.

Reluctantly, I tried to please him while still holding hands, and as we stepped out of the library entrance, my father was waiting for us a little distance away.

My father's eyes lit up when he saw us come out, but then he froze when he noticed we were holding hands. His Highness, on the other hand, frowned the moment he saw my father.

"...So, Your Highness?"

"Why is Velf here?"

"Why is Your Highness holding my daughter's hand?"

The word "daughter" made His Highness blink. He looked at me as if to say, "Is that true?" I nodded with a wry smile.

His Highness didn't realize that I was a child who could enter and leave the castle, and that I had rare red eyes. In the noble families, only our lineage has red eyes. Most of them are blue, but even compared to the royal family, ours are a bit murkier or lighter.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lizbeth Adelsham, Velf Adelsham's daughter."

I flashed a sales smile I had honed from my part-time job, and His Highness stared at me, then compared me to my father, looking rather complicated. I take more after my mother, but I also have my father's features. My red eyes are a prominent example. They are a blood-red color, which can be quite ominous, but I like them because they are the same color as pigeon blood, the highest quality ruby.

"Next time, don't run away, okay? Look, even Father."

"Ah, yes... Your Highness, please don't run away from training."

"...Fine. I was scolded by this one."

Oh, you understand, that's good.

...But why is Father so surprised?

"...No excuses, right?"

"Yes, I'll endure both training and studies!"

His Highness glared at Father with raised eyebrows, and Father nodded, then started to smile in a somewhat sticky, teasing way. It's a good look for him because he's handsome, but as a family member, I don't want him to tease His Highness. I have a feeling I'll get caught in the crossfire.

"Liz, you want to become a court mage like me, right?"

"Eh? Ah, yes, that's why I'm here."

"You don't want a husband who's weaker than me, right?"

"Eh? Eh? Are you getting off-topic?"

"Just go with it. Right, isn't that so?"

"Well, I don't really care... I can't predict the future, and besides, I can protect a weak husband."

Talking about marriage to a four-year-old is pointless. Besides, I'm expected to inherit the Adelsham family, so I'll probably end up in an arranged or political marriage... Father only seems to approve of someone he likes (since I'm so doted on), and I don't think I'll fall in love with anyone anytime soon. So, I think arranged meetings would be more beneficial.

Father froze for a moment at my response, then chuckled and sent a meaningful glance to His Highness. Father, what are you provoking him for?

"Y-Yes, Your Highness."

"Well, it's none of my business."

"That's right. My daughter prefers kind, calm, and dignified men. She wouldn't like someone who runs away from training."

"～! I told you it's none of my business! I'm going back to training!"

His Highness, who fell for Father's provocation, roughly shook off my hand and ran off somewhere. His face was red, so he must have been embarrassed by Father's teasing.

I sent a reproachful look to Father, who was laughing happily. You're treating this like it's not your problem.

"Father, please cut it out. What if His Highness, by some mistake, gets infatuated with me?"

"Well, it might be too late, but I just encouraged it. What happened in there, Liz?"

"I just scolded and encouraged him."

"If that's all it takes to make His Highness react like that, I'm worried about your future."

"...His Highness is just misunderstanding. He just happened to be encouraged by me, so he's mistaking me for someone special. Besides, children's crushes fade quickly, right?"

I'm not stupid; I can tell that His Highness likes me. But it's like the suspension bridge effect. He had anxiety and worries, and I happened to help him resolve them. So he's mistaking his attraction to the solution for attraction to me. I don't think someone who barely knows me could genuinely like me, especially since I'm not exactly cute.

Besides, I hardly ever see His Highness. It's not like I can casually meet the heir to the throne, and I don't want to get involved in troublesome matters. It was just a one-time encounter.

Father makes a slightly strained face at my shrug, but I can't do anything about it. It's true that knowing His Highness could have great returns, but the risks are too high. I don't want to take such a risky path, and I'd rather avoid using him.

"Anyway, Father, will you keep your promise?"

"Ah, yes. I convinced him."

"Thank you!"

Thanks to Father, I might have set up some strange flags, but my original purpose is to measure my magic and test my aptitude. Helping His Highness is just part of the job, not because I dislike him, but because it's a minor issue compared to my main goal.

"...I'm starting to feel sorry for His Highness."

As I finally achieved my goal and smiled genuinely, Father sighed heavily and pressed his forehead.

In Liz's mind, the prince is less important than magic.